Will AI replace First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand?

AI can do 54% of the work First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 2 of their 24 tasks, while 12 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 3 physical tasks. 7 still need a person.

AI is already doing this2 · 3% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Participate in the hiring process by reviewing credentials, conducting interviews, or making hiring decisions or recommendations.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Evaluate employee performance and prepare performance appraisals.Mostly automated1% of time

AI could do this next12 · 51% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Review work throughout the work process and at completion to ensure that it has been performed properly.11% of time
  • Plan work schedules and assign duties to maintain adequate staff for effective performance of activities and response to fluctuating workloads.7% of time
  • Transmit and explain work orders to laborers.7% of time
  • Prepare and maintain work records and reports of information such as employee time and wages, daily receipts, or inspection results.7% of time
  • Maintain a safe working environment by monitoring safety procedures and equipment.7% of time
  • Check specifications of materials loaded or unloaded against information contained in work orders.3% of time
  • Estimate material, time, and staffing requirements for a given project, based on work orders, job specifications, and experience.3% of time
  • Inventory supplies and requisition or purchase additional items, as necessary.2% of time
  • Examine freight to determine loading sequences.1% of time
  • Schedule times of shipment and modes of transportation for materials.1% of time
  • Quote prices to customers.1% of time
  • Provide assistance in balancing books, tracking, monitoring, or projecting a unit's budget needs, and in developing unit policies and procedures.1% of time

Robots can technically do this3 · 22% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Perform the same work duties as those supervised, or perform more difficult or skilled tasks or assist in their performance.Robots: structured workplaces18% of time
  • Inspect equipment for wear and for conformance to specifications.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
  • Inspect job sites to determine the extent of maintenance or repairs needed.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time

Still needs a person7 · 24% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Collaborate with workers and managers to solve work-related problems.8% of time
  • Inform designated employees or departments of items loaded or problems encountered.4% of time
  • Conduct staff meetings to relay general information or to address specific topics, such as safety.3% of time
  • Assess training needs of staff and arrange for or provide appropriate instruction.3% of time
  • Counsel employees in work-related activities, personal growth, or career development.2% of time
  • Resolve personnel problems, complaints, or formal grievances when possible, or refer them to higher-level supervisors for resolution.2% of time
  • Recommend or initiate personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers, or disciplinary measures.1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 3 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.

What to do next

  • Do the 2 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 12 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 3 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 7 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors0%Recycling Coordinators58%First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators54%First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants31%Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters52%Air Traffic Controllers64%

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